Glacier National Park is an American national park located in northwestern Montana, on the Canada–United States border, adjacent to the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. The park encompasses more than 1 million acres (4,000 km2) and includes parts of two mountain ranges, more than 130 named lakes, more than 1,000 different species of plants, and hundreds of species of animals. This vast pristine ecosystem is the centerpiece of what has been referred to as the "Crown of the Continent Ecosystem," a region of protected land encompassing 16,000 sq mi (41,000 km2).
Blackfoot Glacier is the second largest of the remaining 25 glaciers in Glacier National Park, Montana. Blackfoot Glacier is just to the north of Blackfoot Mountain and near Jackson Glacier. The glacier was most recently measured in 2015 at 370 acres (1.5 km2), yet when first documented in 1850, the glacier also included the now separate Jackson Glacier and together, they covered 1,875 acres (7.59 km2). In 1850, there were an estimated 150 glaciers in the park. Glaciologists have stated that by the year 2030, all the glaciers in the park may disappear. However, under a modest increase in overall carbon dioxide levels, some glaciers will remain until the late 23rd century.
Jackson Glacier is approximately the seventh largest of the remaining 25 glaciers in Glacier National Park located in the US state of Montana. A part of the largest grouping of glaciers in the park, Jackson Glacier rests on the north side of Mount Jackson. The glacier was most recently measured in 2005 at 250 acres (1.0 km2), yet when first documented in 1850, the glacier also included the now separate Blackfoot Glacier and together, they covered 1,875 acres (7.59 km2). Between 1966 and 2005, Jackson Glacier lost almost a third of its acreage. When the two glaciers were united prior to their separation sometime before 1929, they were known simply as Blackfoot Glacier.
Sperry Glacier is a glacier on the north slopes of Gunsight Mountain west of the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park in the U.S. state of Montana. Although many geologic features of Glacier National Park were formed during the much longer period of glaciation ending over 10,000 years ago, Sperry Glacier — like all the glaciers in the park today — is a product of the recent Little Ice Age, the period of cooler average temperatures starting in about the 13th century and concluding in the mid-19th century.
Gem Glacier is the smallest named glacier in Glacier National Park (U.S.). Located on the east side of the Continental Divide arête known as the Garden Wall, the glacier is situated on the cliff face above the better known Grinnell Glacier. Gem Glacier is a hanging glacier, and drapes down from the north face of the steep arete to which it is attached. Gem Glacier is only 5 acres (0.020 km2) in area and is far below the 25 acres (0.10 km2) threshold often cited as qualifying as an active glacier. Between 1966 and 2005, Gem Glacier lost 30 percent of its acreage and Grinnell Glacier lost 40 percent.
Boulder Glacier is located in the U.S. state of Montana in Glacier National Park (U.S.). The glacier is situated to the north of Boulder Peak and west of the Continental Divide. Between 1966 and 2005, Boulder Glacier lost more than 75 percent of its surface area. As of 2005 the glacier was measured to cover only 13 acres (0.053 km2), and no longer met the 25 acres (0.10 km2) threshold often cited as the minimal area to qualify as an active glacier.
Shepard Glacier is a glacier remnant (glacieret) In Glacier National Park in the U.S. state of Montana. The glacieret is immediately southeast of Cathedral Peak. Shepard Glacier was one of a number of glaciers that have been documented by the United States Geological Service (USGS) to have retreated significantly in Glacier National Park. Shepard Glacier was measured in 2009 to have decreased to less than 25 acres (0.10 km2), considered to be a minimal size to qualify as being considered an active glacier. Between 1966 and 2005, Shepard Glacier lost 56 percent of its surface area.
Miche Wabun Glacier is a glacier remnant (glacieret) in the U.S. state of Montana in the northeastern region of Glacier National Park. The glacieret is situated in a cirque to the east of Goat Haunt Mountain. Miche Wabun Glacier was measured in 2010 to have retreated to less than 25 acres (0.10 km2) in area, considered to be a minimal size to qualify as being considered an active glacier. Between 1966 and 2005, the glacier lost over 55 percent of its surface area.
Logan Glacier is in Glacier National Park in the U.S. state of Montana. The glacier is situated in a cirque to the northeast of Mount Logan. Just east of the Continental Divide, Logan Glacier is northwest of Red Eagle Glacier. Estimated in 2005 to cover an area of 75 acres (0.30 km2), Logan Glacier covered almost 125 acres (0.51 km2) in 1966, a reduction in area of 40 percent in about 40 years. Comparing images of the glacier taken in 1914 with those from 2009, indicates that the glacier has experienced extensive retreat.
Red Eagle Glacier is a glacier remnant (glacieret) in Glacier National Park in the U.S. state of Montana. The glacieret is a hanging glacier located on the north slope of Clyde Peak, and to the southeast of Mount Logan and Logan Glacier. Between 1966 and 2005, Red Eagle Glacier lost 53 percent of its surface area and now covers less than 25 acres (0.10 km2) which is below the threshold to qualify as an active glacier. Comparing images of the glacier taken in 1914 with those from 2009, indicates that the glacier has experienced extensive retreat.
Harrison Glacier is a glacier located in the US state of Montana in Glacier National Park. Situated on a southeast‐facing ridge immediately south of Mount Jackson, it is the largest remaining glacier in Glacier National Park, estimated in 2005 to have an area of 466 acres (1.89 km2). Though many experts have stated that all the glaciers in Glacier National Park may disappear by the year 2030, Harrison Glacier lost only 9 percent of its surface area in the 40-year period between 1966 and 2005 and will likely still exist well beyond 2030. Compared to many of the vanishing glaciers in Glacier National Park, Harrison Glacier's accumulation zone is at a much higher altitude, which has allowed it to maintain some equilibrium in its glacier mass balance. Comparisons of images of the glacier taken in 1913 with images from 2009 indicate that the glacier has experienced thinning and retreat.
The Carter Glaciers are in Glacier National Park in the U.S. state of Montana. The glaciers are situated along a ridge immediately to the east of the Continental Divide, mainly below an unnamed peak which rises to 9,164 feet (2,793 m). The glaciers cover an area of approximately 50 acres (0.20 km2) at an elevation between 8,500 feet (2,600 m) and 7,200 feet (2,200 m) above sea level. The Carter Glaciers consist of between three and four separate small glacial remnants (glacierets), none of which meet the threshold of 25 acres (0.10 km2) often cited as being the minimum size to qualify as an active glacier.
Dixon Glacier is located in the U.S. state of Montana in Glacier National Park. The glacier is situated in a cirque immediately to the north of The Sentinel at an elevation between 8,500 feet (2,600 m) and 7,400 feet (2,300 m) above sea level. Immediately east of the Continental Divide, the glacier is 1 mi (1.6 km) east of Thunderbird Glacier. Dixon Glacier covers an area of approximately 59 acres (0.24 km2) and between 1966 and 2005 lost over 45 percent of its surface area.
Hudson Glacier is located in the US state of Montana in Glacier National Park. The glacier is situated in a cirque immediately to the east of the Continental Divide at an elevation between 7,500 feet (2,300 m) and 7,200 feet (2,200 m) above sea level. A half-mile south of Lake Nooney and Lake Wurdeman, Hudson Glacier covers an area of approximately 8 acres (0.032 km2) and does not meet the threshold of 25 acres (0.10 km2) often cited as being the minimum size to qualify as an active glacier. Between 1966 and 2005, the glacier lost more than 66 percent of its acreage.
Ipasha Glacier is located in the US state of Montana in Glacier National Park. The glacier is situated in a cirque to the southeast of Chaney Glacier and immediately east of the Continental Divide at an elevation between 8,000 feet (2,400 m) and 7,600 feet (2,300 m) above sea level. The glacier covers an area of approximately 52 acres (0.21 km2) as measured in 2005, which is a third smaller than it was in 1966. Melt water from the glacier flows over Ipasha Falls en route to Ipasha Lake.
Piegan Glacier is in Glacier National Park in the U.S. state of Montana. The glacier is situated in a cirque on the southeast slope of Piegan Mountain and just below the summit at an elevation between 8,800 and 8,200 ft above sea level. The glacier covered an area of approximately 62 acres (0.25 km2) in 2005, a 10 percent reduction in its surface area since 1966. Comparing images of the glacier taken in 1930 with those from 1998, indicates that the glacier experienced relatively little change during that period.
Siyeh Glacier is in Glacier National Park in the U.S. state of Montana. The glacier lies in a deep cirque to the north of Mount Siyeh at an elevation between 7,200 feet (2,200 m) and 6,800 feet (2,100 m) above sea level. Siyeh Glacier covers an area of less than 10 acres (0.040 km2) and does not meet the threshold of 25 acres (0.10 km2) often cited as being the minimum size to qualify as an active glacier. Siyeh Glacier has experienced massive retreat, losing over 73 percent of its surface area between 1966 and 2005.
The Salamander Glacier is in Glacier National Park in the U.S. state of Montana. The glacier lies on a shelf on the east side of the arête which is part of the Continental Divide, at an average elevation of 7,200 feet (2,200 m) above sea level. The Salamander Glacier covered an area of approximately 57 acres (0.23 km2) as of 1993. Before Grinnell Glacier retreated significantly, it used to encompass The Salamander Glacier and the two become separate sometime before 1929. The Salamander Glacier was measured at 42 acres (0.17 km2) in 2005, which is a 23 percent reduction since 1966. Though only .10 mi (0.16 km) in length, The Salamander Glacier is about .75 mi (1.21 km) wide.
Upper Grinnell Lake is located in Glacier National Park, in the U. S. state of Montana. Upper Grinnell Lake is a proglacial lake which formed in the 1930s as Grinnell Glacier retreated. The lake is often filled with small icebergs which have been breaking off Grinnell Glacier. Upper Grinnell Lake can be reached by trail and is a 5.5 miles (8.9 km) hike from the Many Glacier Hotel.
